This is a repost of a color theme analysis I did on the dominant colors within Mulholland Dr. back in 2002 and one of the very first posts I made on MD. I find it helpful to take one element of MD and examine it. It may not directly help anything in particular but may help you see and wonder about things that you might not have occurred to you otherwise. While I did it with color someone else might choose another aspect such as sound design or numerology - each may help as an examination of one element can turn off the 'noise' caused by the film in its entirety. (2010)

I decided it might be useful to put all the significant color themes in Mulholland Drive together in one thread. I’ve been confused as to the meaning(s) of the color red or any other well used colors within the movie. There have been plenty of posts that have talked about the use of red, blue, pink, and green in the movie but nothing comprehensive. I also added the color brown regarding the color choices within Aunt Ruth's apartment. I also encorporated the "Red Thread" post that I did. It just seemed to be a better idea to put the colors all together so perhaps some associations would be easier to make. If you find references to any significant colors that I've overlooked or references to any color listed please let me know and I will update the list.

Some color references are so often repeated that I don’t include them by scene such as red (even ruby red) lipstick and red nail polish. I also don’t mention things like some red flower in the background or things like Heinz ketchup (at a diner). If it seems that the color might be intended or that it might make an impression I tried to include it.

Is it useful? Time will tell. I have made some associations that I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t done it. Hopefully this will help you work some thoughts out too as well as serve as a reference source.

Blue city lights as she descends down the hillBloody left earlobe (shown to viewer when she crosses a street)Bloody forehead Blue haze in the air as she runs across the streetRedand blue lights on police car Red fire truckBlue Sunset BL 7000W sign

Detective Scene (maybe someone's missing)

Blue tag on pearl earring evidenceDetective wearing a blue shirt looks out over the valley

Brownish/Red Desk with blue light on it. Later we see that he has a emerald green sofa in the office

Hairy Man's Place

Yellow PhoneLime colored Wall

Apartment?

Red Light Shade by push-button phone

Airport

Betty wears a pink sweaterWoman of color passing through wearing purplish outfit (top and bottom)Red and white International symbol for “do not enter” sign within airport (security)Couple of women with green blouses behind BettyMan with blue jacket on escalatorBlue Welcome to Los Angeles BannerMan with blue jacket on outside the opening doorsBetty has two pale blue suitcasesGreen enter sign on doors they exit fromRed and white international symbol for no smoking, and no dogs at entrance (of interest, they exit by way of the entrance door)Red Poster to right of doorMan with red tieRedheaded lady going by behind BettyRed stripe on side of taxiRed Sign as old couple exit airportSeveral Blue signs as old couple exit airportBlue Van in front of limo

Helicopter landing strip on top of building with a Red 01 or 10 written on itAnother Red helicopter landing pad on top of buildingLarge red statue between buildings in the shape of a ‘S’Red Parking lot sign with rates on it Waiter (coffee bearer) wearing red jacketManager (Robert Smith) wears a blue shirtMeeting chairs are emerald greenRay Lott wears a blue shirtRed ties on both Castigliane brothersRed painted Mexican Restaurant (with pinkish top) across the street from the parking lot.Red Home Improvement Center sign next to Mexican RestaurantPainted blue curb next to parked limoParking lot attendent wears a pink shirt

Seedy Office

Red CarpetGreen file cabinetThe crook standing is wearing an army green colored t-shirt - also his right eye appears odd colored and his left eye is blue.Red Poster (Italy)Red Door sign for Health & Plus EnzymesBlue jacket on heavy set womanRed Poster (now with blood dripping off of it)Pink tag on desktopemerald green key chain on frame of window

Prostitute Scene

Pink's sign in pink letteringProstitute wears a blue top and blue jeanspasserbys one wearing a bright green satin jacket and a green shirtParked Red Fire truckMan carrying very long and flexible red pipe on sidewalk behind prostituteRed trash canParking for Pinks sign is in red but the actual Pink’s Sign is in pinkBad guy wears a red shirt under his jacketProstitute gets into a blue van

1612 Havenhurst

Green pillow on couchThe apartment is flooded with browns. Brown couch, brown walls, brown carpet, brown furniture, brown door etc. etc. While the characters where a lot of reds in the scenes - the apartment is projected as very soothing.

Director’s Home

Gene Clean sign on truck is in blueRed and Green Adirondack Chair by poolBright blue object on the marble sink counterDark green vase on center kitchen work areaGreen container in garageBright blue paint on canPink Paint CanPink paint poured on jewelry and cabinets (splashed).Pink paint splashed on Lorraine's blue dress Pink paint splashed on Adam's black suitRed brake lights from Adam’s Porsche are shown on as he is leaving his house (these are his brake lights as it is a day scene, unusual is the length of time they are shown as well as there is no need for him to apply the brakes.)Gardener with red wheelbarrow

1612 Havenhurst

Blue hat box (where they hide the money).Green Pillows on BedSet of three Green figures on (mostly brown) closet doors

Follow Adam’s red brake lights up the roadIn the headlights we see several blue garbage cans on the side of the roadPorsche looks pale blue in the dark (when he parks).Cowboy is wearing a red bandanna with mostly brownish colors on clothes.

1612 Havenhurst (movie line rehearsal)

Betty is wearing a pink robeRita is wearing a red robe with black trim

1612 Havenhurst (get rid of it scene)

Coco is wearing a (red with black pattern) Chinese outfit with ruby colored earrings Betty has a red hairpin in her hair and is wearing blue jeans

Casting/Producer’s Office

Betty wears a blue blouseLinney James is a redheadMartha Johnson wears a pink shirtWoody wears a blue shirtWally wears a blue checkerboard sweaterCover of script is pink (seen in Director’s hand)

Casting Call

Blue jackets on backup male singersPink dresses on girls and CarolPink and Blue background to recording boothOrange around clock in backgroundAdam has a black and blue megaphoneSet crew – red shirt on one, red plaid shirt on anotherTall Red stepladders are in the backgroundCamilla Rhodes II wears a pink outfit with pink lipstickSmoke from Adam's cigarette has a decidedly blue color

Sierra Bonita Apartments

Rita is wearing a red blouseGuys in car (waiting out front) are sitting in front of a red van by a red wallRakes with red handlesRedheaded woman getting into a limoRed Sheet and Red pillow on bed (Apartment 17)

1612 Havenhurst (Haircutting Scene)

Red Hair RollersRed WigRed Hair DryerBlue Tout Paris bookGreen Sin[color=#FF00FF]k[/color]Pink Pajamas on BettyRita has on a Red towel on before getting into bed

Club Silencio

Blue lights on top of building (during cab ride)Blueish street out in front of the clubBlue Lights of Club SilencioBlue interior door or wallBlue haired ladyBetty is wearing a light red blouseRed curtains at the theatreRed Theatre seatsRed Suit on emceeBlue light off forehead of magician Rebekah is wearing red earrings with red and yellow mascaraBlue smokeBlue light off mike and stageBlue cube

Red Shade by phone (limo out front message).Red brake lights from limo. Blue light shines into limoCamilla is wearing a red scarf (hmmm)Coco is wearing a red and black Chinese outfit with high collarDiane’s wears a black dress with red shoulder straps Pool lighting washes their faces a bit with blue colorBlonde Camilla is dressed in a pink dress with pink lipstickWhen Blonde Camilla kisses Camilla you can see dark red lipstick smeared on her pink lipstick.During engagement announcement, you can see a blonde woman wearing a red dress (seated in a table in back of them)

Winkie’s

Green rug (seen under broken plate being picked off the floor)Red and green stripes on wallRed globe sized lighting fixtures overheadDiane is wearing a t-shirt with a red DiVinci “man” on it.Waitress (Betty) wears a pink shirtgreen cash register

Behind Winkie’s

Red color is reflecting towards and around the bum’s spot.Blue cube

Diane’s Apartment (death scene)

Blue light appears and reflects on old couple chasing DianeRed sheets/red pillow on bed Blue box in drawerBluish smoke appears after she shoots herselfRed and blue lights are shown in cityscape scene before a white lighted reunited Betty and Blonde Rita